Student loan forgiveness available to nurses in some rural communities

Newly registered nurses may still be able to take advantage of a federal program that began accepting applicants in April 2013 to have part of their student loans forgiven if they are prepared to work in rural communities.

Under the program, nurses – as well as family doctors and residents, and nurse practitioners – can apply for partial Canada Student Loan forgiveness if they agree to work in one of more than 4,200 designated rural and remote communities with populations below 50,000. Designated locations include communities that provide health services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations.

Nurses are eligible to receive up to $4,000 per year in Canada Student Loan forgiveness. For more information, nurses should contact the Canada Student Loans Program, found online at CanLearn.ca, and download the application form.